Katanagatari

[Buffalobiian]

Synopsis: * Based on a light novel series by Nishio Ishin.

The legendary swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki made 1000 swords in his career. The final twelve swords were the pinnacle of his career.Shogunate strategist Togame has been ordered to recover them.

edit: above is a generic introduction from shinta's advice. Highlight below for a more elaborate (spoilerish) overview.

The legendary swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki made 1000 swords in his career. The more swords a state had, the greater success they had in the wars. When the Shogun emerged victorious, he collected 988 of the swords...but those were just practice.

The final twelve swords were the pinnacle of his career. Each of them has powers so extraordinary, one man could defeat small armies.

Shogunate strategist Togame has been ordered to recover them. She first hired a ninja...but the worth of the swords is so great the entire ninja clad defected the moment they recovered one. Then she hired a swordsman...but he kept the sword for himself.

Her last hope is Shichika, the seventh and last practitioner of the Kyotoryuu -- No Sword School. He and his sister live on an island cut off from civilization -- they have no need for money. His sword school does not use swords -- he would not want the swords for himself.

So why should he help her?

"Because you will fall in love with me."-AniDB

Links: ANN, AniDB, animeNfo, Official


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Mazui - Episode 01

[shinta|hikari]

That synopsis seems to reveal way too much of episode 1. A shorter and more generic one may be more apt.

About the episode, I absolutely loved it. It is from the author of Bakemonogatari, something a lot of fans will probably be glad to hear about. I found out only after watching the first episode (although I was clued in by the title, who wouldn't), but I still really enjoyed it regardless. Interesting dialogue, witty remarks, as well as really likable characters make this a must watch for me.

Togame is absolutely lovable. Yukari Tamura (Rika Furude from Higurashi) is doing a fantastic job voicing the character. I also like Shichika's clear admittance that he is not a smart person. The contrast between him and his sister made for great humour, and also emphasized Shichika's laid back and stupid (as opposed to Shikimaru's hidden intelligence) character. While these qualities didn't really make me interested in him, the last few lines he said and the way he said it in this episode did.

"Aishiteru ze." - well said from someone who does not even know what it means.

EDIT: It seems it will be 12 1 hour episodes that will air once a month until December. That probably means 1 sword per episode. The slow release does not irk me however, since it just means that they get more time to spend on making the show as epic as I foresee it will be.

[Buffalobiian]

That synopsis seems to reveal way too much of episode 1. A shorter and more generic one may be more apt..

Very true. I felt that way too about half way through the episode. Post edited for future readers.

When I first heard about Katanagatari I actually 100% believed that it was by the same author as Bakemonogatari on the sole basis of title similarity. Since then I've forgotten the relationship though, until again around halfway where I recognised the lengthy, subtle dialogue, whereby I re-established the relationship in my head.

Togame started out feeling fairly "generic", being the usual loud-spoken loli we see all too often. Those last few minutes changed that for me though, but I'm not able to definitively say why. Perhaps it's that there'll be more depth to her than I previously expected.

Her relationship with Shichika will be very entertaining indeed.

I'll have to rewatch that episode though, since the subs left me kind of confused, particularly where Shichika mentions Togame's eye as pretty and shiny. I don't even recall the ninja talking about it.

(edit: ah, "ambitious eyes". The dude glossed over it as part of normal speech that it didn't even register as being important (esp. since he does yap away). Shichika taking it out of context to meaning her purple "eye" together makes up the confusion.)

One thing I didn't like so much was how the kanji flashes interrupted the action sequences. I suppose that's what you get for not understanding Japanese, since it'll probably be more enjoyable otherwise.

edit: it's not as bad as what I made it sound like, just took a bit of getting used to.

[Kraco]

I'm in total agreement with Shinta on this series. I loved every moment of the episode. The unique character design also was a pleasant and nicely refreshing deviation from the usual textbook designs. The dialogue was the highlight, though, no doubt. Nothing less from the author of Bakemonogatari, of course. Especially the decisive scene of Togame declaring her way of gaining Shichika's cooperation by having him fall for her. I actually saw that exact line coming beforehand once I understood what manner of a dude Shichika is.

What comes to Togame herself, I doubt she's that experienced herself. She might be just as naive as Shichika, despite having grown in a more worldly place. She even had prepapred all her talks beforehand (producing that funny gag twice), and probably has little idea what having Shichika love her means in practice. With such a jolly setting, I'm excitedly looking forward to those two travelling together.

This could be my favorite series of the year.

[Pandadice]

well I really wasn't sure what to expect. And though at first the comedy was a turn off, it definitely grew on me and I enjoyed it.

I really liked the main guy. His reactions and responses were awesome.

[shinta|hikari]

The internal monologue comments are as funny as hell. When both Shichika and his sister commented simultaneously that Togame should have practiced her sword routine until the end, I LMAO. Shichika wondering if all people from outside of their island talked so much was also epic, particularly since I was wondering the same damn thing.

[Buffalobiian]

I can't wait for episode two where it looks like they'll fight a proper swordsman. Shichika seems pretty strong, but this episode indicates that Kyotoryuu doesn't grant you steel limbs. Blocking a strike is out of the question.

Guess the pic above suggests some hard arm coverings is a pretty straight forward solution. (how the hell did I not think of that?)

When both Shichika and his sister commented simultaneously that Togame should have practiced her sword routine until the end, I LMAO

Likewise when Shichika had no idea how impressive 1000 / 100 000 swords really were. Those moments had me good.

[shinta|hikari]

Shichika is at a big disadvantage though. His art specializes in breaking the enemy's sword, but that has been outlawed by Togame. This means that he will never be able to fight at 100% capacity or even in his comfort zone. Trying to defeat the enemy while not only protecting their weapon but also fighting out of your style is very difficult, especially for someone who has so little battle experience (and weak, as his sister describes him).

[Kraco]

That only applies to the main enemies with the special words, though. I'm sure they will need to fight more than that, and during those times Shichika can use his full potential. Just the lonely Shikizaki sword wielders he (they) will need to defeat using a different style. I don't think it's such a huge disadvantage, really. If you think about it, breaking the enemy's sword is hardly a decisive practice in any manner of a martial art and thus I don't think Shichika's prowess relies overly much on it. It's just one move in his repertoire. Also, it's almost guaranteed none of their enemies have fought his style before, granting him a good edge.

[shinta|hikari]

It is just that he himself said that the essence of his martial art is in breaking the enemy's sword. In fact, it is the very first thing he tried when the opponent attacked him with a sword. This means that such a reaction is almost instinctive, deeply ingrained in his physical training and mental conditioning.

Other enemies without the special katanas are probably not really worthy opponents, and as such don't require Shichika's full strength. It is definitely a handicap if the stronger enemy gets special considerations or rules.

It is like a boxer whose best punch is his right hook, yet being forbidden to use it on opponents of arguably equal skill. No boxer would ever agree to such a fight. As someone who practices several martial arts myself, I would say it is a huge disadvantage.

EDIT: I do get your point though. I guess it all depends on how heavily does Shichika's style rely on breaking the opponent's weapon. If it is not as much as I imagine, then it won't be a critical handicap, and can probably be overcome with some adjustments and training.

[Kraco]

I don't think Shichika's old man broke any katanas when he defeated the soldiers inside the castle. And while it surely would be a handicap under normal circumstances to avoid a skill that would render the opponent weaponless (and thus potentially defenseless), the basic setting of the mission is to retrieve the swords, not beat the owners of the swords. So, it would be a mission perfectly accomplished even if they just stole the Shikizaki sword without ever challenging its owner. That's essentially why I think dropping a single technique won't be decisive.

[shinta|hikari]

Indeed if they only stole the swords, it won't matter much, but I don't think they will go around like thieves throughout the series. It will probably more like one duel per episode in which Shichika will beat an enemy and retrieve the sword. I do hope for more variety though, so stealing is a good alternative since negotiating is out of the question considering the value of the swords. I just don't see it happening often (if at all) though, simply because it does not seem like something Shichika would do. Togame, on the other hand, is another story.

[Buffalobiian]

Shichika would suck at stealing anyway.

[Kraco]

Variety would indeed be good. It would be somewhat dull if it was always a duel or two against the Shikizaki sword owner and then the sword was theirs. I'd also welcome a case or two where Togame herself got the sword, with Shichika only assisting her or distracting the enemies. She's a strategist (self-proclaimed) but that doesn't mean she shouldn't be doing anything but devising strategies - especially when Shichika alone is her only staff at the moment. I've always liked stories where there's some equality between the heroes. Togame didn't really convince me as a strategist either, seeing how it was more the ninja dude who convinced Shichika (to fall for her) and not Togame herself.

[shinta|hikari]

Is she even a decent strategist? It seems like she is more of a spoiled princess who is ill-equipped for her job, but makes up for it with her determination. It is her determination and commitment to her goal that made Shichika follow her. Togame has charisma, and may even be smart, but she is naive which causes her to make numerous mistakes, like being accompanied by an enemy ninja.

Still, if she is prepared to do anything for her goal, she may grow into her role as time goes by, and I hope that is indeed what happens.

[Buffalobiian]

Is she even a decent strategist? It seems like she is more of a spoiled princess who is ill-equipped for her job

As the daughter of a defeated rebel, I doubt she used her birthright as a means to get her current position.

And while the ninja had a different view of her intentions, his intel doesn't suggest she lied about her rank, so it seems legit.

btw, would anyone be able to explain the play on words here? According to the subs, she's a "strategian", which is neither a strategist nor a tactician. I'm assuming there's a more clever play on words in Japanese than simply making up a new word.

[shinta|hikari]

I will try to explain:

Saku - plan or strategy
Sakushi - tactician, strategist
Kisaku - clever scheme (has a devious connotation)
Kisakushi - a word Togame invented for herself

Togame explains that her job is to think of plans or tactics for more unconventional issues, or to think of unconventional plans or tactics (forgot which she mentioned, maybe both), so she gave such a title to herself.

[Buffalobiian]

Ah, that makes sense now. I think understanding that explains a bit more about her character. I can't put my finger on what, but I feel that her coming up with that is very fitting.

[Yukimura]

Not much in the way of surprises for me with this one. I didn't like Togame as a character the same reasons I don't like most characters of her type, lots of big talk and no or only counter productive action from her. She was entertaining though and laughing at her faults and failures made her carrying herself above her demonstrated abilities more bearable for me. As long as the narrative doesn't try to pass her off as an object of respect without having her actually 'do' anything herself and continues to portray her shortcomings without glamor I think I'll come out with a net positive reaction towards her character.

Shichika I was mostly positive on, I liked his badassness and pragmatism but I wasn't particularly wowed by his decision to leave everything he knows and follow some girl he just met. He is inevitably putting himself in harms way to get her out of the trouble she's bound to get herself into and while I can accept that he's not that intelligent he seems somewhat wise. My preference would be that he went with her more because he pitied her due to her past AND felt she was worthy of his help in some sort of 'atonement' sense rather than just because he felt inspiration from her determination despite her shortcomings.

My favorite char though was the sister, she seemed like the smartest person on the island and possibly the most capable individual introduced so far if she was also trained by the dad. Hopefully this first ep won't be the last we see of her.

[Kraco]

rather than just because he felt inspiration from her determination despite her shortcomings.

I wouldn't so easily download the inspiration. They are quite heavily connected in the end and their positions not all that different: Togame lost her dad and fortune, but so did Shichika (and his sister). Their family was exiled to the isolated island to live in a tiny shack (that they had to build themselves). Shichika might well have seen the connection and similarity and realised that despite everything Togame is pushing forward trying to find her own fate. I don't know why any young lad would want to spend his whole life on a small island anyway, and so this was the last push he needed.

My favorite char though was the sister, she seemed like the smartest person on the island and possibly the most capable individual introduced so far if she was also trained by the dad. Hopefully this first ep won't be the last we see of her.

It no doubt helps she's voices by the same VA as Felli Loss...